C Yu 2 Scale on the Piano - Improvisation and Composition

The C Yu 2 uses six notes per octave. Because of this same reason it is a member of the so called Hexatonic -scales that have Six-note (or Six-tone).
On the piano keyboard, it is made up of two black keys: Eb, and Bb and three white keys: C, F, and G. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Qing Shang, C Qing Yu, and C Quan Ming - as great choices for composing or improvising Chinese music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Yu 2 Scale we can find it has two flats and no sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find two accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, Eb, F, G, and Bb.

How to play the C Yu 2 scale?

1

To play the C Yu 2 on your piano, start on the Root note.
Play C, the first note of the scale.

2

Continue with rest of the notes
that shape the scale, play Eb, F, G, and Bb.

3

Return to the home of the C Yu 2 scale.
Play again C -the tonic of the scale- to mark its ending.

How to play the scale in descending fashion?

1

Begin on the last note.
Play the C, the last (and first) note of the scale.

2

Go down.
Play Bb, G, F, and Eb.

3

Reach the home again.
Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Yu 2 scale: C.

4

Tip.
If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Yu 2 scale or any other scale, check out our piano improvisation and composition lessons and enjoy thousands of interactive multimedia piano animations.